Christina

Ok, I just had the weirdest experience. I am taking applications and interviewing for a couple of positions here at my office. So I walk up to the door and as I am getting closer to the caller outside (the doors are glass) I see that I semi-recognize the young man standing there. I have wondered about this guy for a while, since I worked with him for several years and hadn't seen him in a while. He was very morbidly obese when I knew him and ever since I started this process I wondered if I would run into anyone I knew that I had remembered being MO. Yes Stuart was always my #1 person I thought about.. and what do you know.. hmmm .. that sure worked out well didn't it??

Anyway.. We'll call him CW (The guy who came looking for a job.) I just opened the door and stared and smiled at him. I figured he'd recognize me right off. He just looked at me like I was crazy and looked down and said he was coming to apply for the position. I said "You don't recognize me do you?" He stared and shook his head "no" I told him my name and he still didn't recognize me.. Now I know that I am unforgettable, but still.. he couldn't put the face with the name. I said "I used to work with you at such and such place".. he still didn't place me. I then said.. well I've lost a lot of weight since then. He said oh me too.. I said "I noticed and you look great.. but you really don't know who I am do you?" He blushed and said .. sorry, no. So I told him to hang on and I went and got a pre-op photo.. He started laughing and said "OH man that's YOU!!! .. I know who you are, are you kidding?.. You're serious aren't you? .. Well you look nothing like YOU!!" He never asked how I lost the weight, and I didn't offer the reason.. he was just blown away and seriously didn't know who I was. It freaked me out in a way, even though I guess I should be flattered. But I"m not ME anymore!! And that makes me very sad. It sucks that I was THAT overweight that nobody can see me in a different way. Oh I'll get over it but man that was pretty weird.

It's going to be a great night though.. Stu is cooking dinner for me tonight.. He is such a great cook!! I am one lucky girl..

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Christina
Open RNY 03/31/2004
274/128/137 (131 Per Dr. C)
BMI: 47 / 22

"There's nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility is being superior to your former self." - Ernest Miller Hemingway

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." - Henry Ford

Esouza

Yeah you have changed that much. I have similar experiences. I employed a guy for 3 years. He was my painter at my shop. I see him at the gas station and I walk up to him and say "Hey..Madrid!" He looks at me with this puzzled look on his face. He says "Do I know you bro?" I said you work for me for 3 years I hope so. He was floored. I was talking to him and asking about his family but he wasn't even there. lol He just stood there shaking his head and saying damn. Unreal huh? Do a side by side of yourself and you will see. You have changed quite a bit.

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Dr. Callery
Open RNY
05/23/01
448/175

Janet

I can TOTALLY relate. I was at a memorial service on Sunday. Not the best of days. I had not seen most of the people there since before my surgery. Everyone was wearing names tags. I would go up to people and say hello and they would look at my name tag and give me a blank stare. I finally started saying "It's me Janet" and hold my arms out at my sides to where my body use to be. The looks of surprise was priceless. And for some reason, all the men wanted to pick me up. Something no one in their right mind would have done before.

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Janet
7/30/03
339/135/117 to 140

Christina

Thanks Ed and Janet for responding. Janet I can say that you have changed .. THAT much!! You look amazing. Remember the last support group you were there and I didn't even recognize you!! How funny is that? You are a true inspiration to me. I have another question for you though, Janet.. do you still live in North County? If so are you still with 24 hour fitness? I am looking for a work out partner. I know that if I am obligated to meet someone at the gym I am more likely to go. I know that is bad, but I feel myself slipping off the work out wagon and I need to get back on it. If this is something you would be interested in doing, please let me know.. we can hook up and work out my friend..

thanks again Ed for your post.. it made a lot of sense. I guess we really have changed a bit.. I remember my Niece thinking that wasn't me in the picture I sent.. she didn't recognize me either.. that's sad.. but I am ok with that. I feel good about myself, my success, and my future so that is what counts right?

__________________
Christina
Open RNY 03/31/2004
274/128/137 (131 Per Dr. C)
BMI: 47 / 22

"There's nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility is being superior to your former self." - Ernest Miller Hemingway

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." - Henry Ford

Janet

Christina,

No, I have moved to Rancho Bernardo. I too need the motivation of a workout buddy. I have not been to the gym since before my hernia surgery. I am still a member of 24 hour fitness. I do work in Escondido and there is a 24 Hour right off the 15 and Valley Parkway. Is that close to you? We could maybe meet up there after work or something.

Thank you for the compliment too. It is always good to hear.

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Janet
7/30/03
339/135/117 to 140

bridgetgirl

I think you look different only because you have bangs now! LOLYes you've changed, now your this teeny tiny fragile looking lil lady... before you were beefy and sturdy! But you look mahvelous! Keep on truckin' sister girl!

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J.Bridget Fisher aka koi-pea
2/9/04 lap 5'11"
298/172

Find me on face book using this email; bridgetgirl@msn.com

"People will argue with you that getting what you want in life isn’t something you can learn, if you’re destined to be one of the worlds winners as opposed to one of its perpetual whiners, its because you have been born with the right talents and temperament and have a big dose of self-esteem, ambition, and good judgment." Kate White

HapBird

The thing is - you are your true self NOW. You weren't BEFORE! So you're more YOU than ever!

Yeah, it's hard to get used to - but worth it!

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Phil Darby / LAP RNY Dr. Callery 09/27/04........|Max:280+|Min:±155|Now:±175|

Christina

Thank you for your perspective!! I loved what you said. I have taken it to heart and I really adore you for bringing that up.

By the way.. you look amazing my friend!!!!

__________________
Christina
Open RNY 03/31/2004
274/128/137 (131 Per Dr. C)
BMI: 47 / 22

"There's nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility is being superior to your former self." - Ernest Miller Hemingway

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." - Henry Ford

Christina

Janet,

Are you talking about the 24 hour fitness sport? The one by Olive Garden and such.. up the hill? The newer one? I am all for that.. it isn't too far at all.

Let me know and we'll hook up and work out.

__________________
Christina
Open RNY 03/31/2004
274/128/137 (131 Per Dr. C)
BMI: 47 / 22

"There's nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility is being superior to your former self." - Ernest Miller Hemingway

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." - Henry Ford

Christina

Bridget,

You are so funny.. but I've always had bangs.. lol

__________________
Christina
Open RNY 03/31/2004
274/128/137 (131 Per Dr. C)
BMI: 47 / 22

"There's nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility is being superior to your former self." - Ernest Miller Hemingway

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." - Henry Ford